India's most luxurious hotels -- where to stay in style

(CNN) — Old Delhi, Mumbai, Rajasthan, the Himalayas -- India is full of contrasts and layers, diverse landscapes and notoriously hard-to-reach villages.

"The palace hotel experience in Rajasthan, in particular, is something you don't see anywhere else in the world," Jay Tindall, co-founder of ultra-luxury bespoke travel service Remote Lands, tells CNN Travel.

"It's really uniquely India and it tends to be the starting point for luxury travelers. That's a challenge for us as well, because we encourage visitors to get off the beaten track and explore more of the country."

Once you decide which destinations to visit, the next decision is where to stay. From palace hotels to luxury tented camps, these are India's best luxury hotels:

PALACE HOTELS

Taj Lake Palace

Taj Lake Palace: One of the most romantic hotels in the world.

courtesy Taj Lake Palace

Set in the middle of Lake Pichola -- in India's storied Udaipur region -- Taj Lake Palace has long been praised as one of the world's most romantic hotels.

It's almost hard to believe your eyes. The white marble marvel appears to float above the water, all the while surrounded by the majestic Aravalli mountains.

"If you want that more-than-250-year-old history, you'll find it at a Taj hotel," says Tindall. "This is where Taj really shines. The service is impeccable, and they are all special properties where you can feel a sense of history at the centuries-old palaces."

It's an opulent experience from start to finish, beginning with a boat ride to the royal island, where guests are immediately welcomed with a shower of rose petals and a welcome drink.

From there, travelers can lounge around in 18th-century splendor -- originally built as a pleasure palace by Maharana Jagat Singh II in 1746 -- dine on authentic Rajasthani cuisine, or book a treatment on the famous spa boat.

Rambagh Palace

Featuring white marble corridors and red brick accents, the Rambagh Palace was used by the Maharajas of Jaipur in various capacities over the years, first as a handmaid's residence then a hunting lodge and finally a royal guesthouse.

Dating to 1835, the palace is not only celebrated for its marvelous architecture but also for the 47 acres of royal gardens where peacocks strut throughout the day.

The hotel offers countless ways to unwind, including two pools, a grand spa, a Polo Bar, boutique shops, and a labyrinth of romantic courtyards.

During the day, guests are invited to take a historical walk about the grounds escorted by a Palace Butler and, by night, the palace's front lawns come alive with performances and music.

"The one thing India really does exceptionally well is service -- it's the entire experience," says Tindall. "From the moment you walk in the door, it's very regal, detail-oriented, personable ... and you just get this sense of colonial-influenced old India."

Taj Falaknuma Palace

In its past life, the 19th-century palace was the residence of the Nizam of Hyderabad. In fact, Princess Esra, former wife of the current titular Nizam of Hyderabad, worked closely with Taj hotels during the careful renovation process.

The goal was to preserve as much of the original as possible, including everything from leather upholstery to paintings and stucco work.

TENTED CAMPS / SAFARI-STYLE LODGES

SUJÁN The Serai

Sujan The Serai promises an unforgettable experience to the golden Thar desert.

courtesy SUJAN

A nostalgic outpost in the middle of the golden Thar desert, outside of Jaisalmer, SUJÁN The Serai is a 100-acre oasis set amid dunes and starry night skies, promising memorable dining experiences and musical campfires.

Featuring terrace lounges and locally made textiles, the 21 tented suites are scattered across the dramatic landscape and share a communal tented restaurant, spa and reception area.

The six Luxury Tented Suites come with added perks, such as private stone plunge pools and walled gardens.

Meanwhile, the Royal Tented Suite stands alone as its own abode, complete with a personal butler, outdoor pool and private spa.

The design embraces subdued shades of gray and black to create a contemporary atmosphere, combined with bits of retro industrial touches and pops of ​scarlet ​red​ (inspired by the local Rabari tribe​) for energy.

Here, travelers might fill their days with a safari drive or a visit to nearby Bisalpur village, dine by the campfire at night, or enjoy a private picnic in the bush.

"I'm very intrigued by what The Ultimate Travelling Camp is doing," says Tindall. "They really brought luxury to that northern part of India, in Ladakh. They have been able to bring travelers to that region whereas, previously that area was really hard to access for foreigners."

"Typically, people stay away from India during the monsoon season, June through August, but actually that's the time to go up to these Ultimate Travelling Camps and visit the mountains. It's the opposite season there."

REMOTE RETREATS

Wildflower Hall, Shimla in the Himalayas -- An Oberoi Resort

A mountain getaway with views of the majestic Himalayas, Wildflower Hall is in a league of its own.

Surrounded by nature at 8,000 feet above sea level, the grounds on which the colonial-style hotel stands on the grounds that was once the summer home of Lord Kitchener, former Commander in Chief of the Indian Army.

URBAN SANCTUARIES

The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra

Promising continuous views of the Taj Mahal -- just 600 meters away -- The Oberoi Amarvilas is the place to stay in Agra.

It's not an ancient property, by any definition, but the Mughal-style design and gold leaf accents certainly look the part of a royal residence.

It's five minutes from the pedestrianized street leading up to the Taj and the hotel will transfer guests to and from the site by electric buggy (vehicles releasing carbon emissions aren't allowed within 500 meters of the mausoleum).

As you might hope, every room at Amarvilas has a view of the Taj Mahal.

The Lodhi Hotel

Located near the historic Lodi Gardens and Delhi Golf Club in south-central New Delhi, The Lodhi Hotel is the definition of an urban retreat.

"I like the Lodhi because it's more of a modern hotel," says Tindall. "You're going to see the palace, the tented camps and these other old-world type places during a longer India journey. So I enjoy this modern experience in Delhi."

The calm and contemporary hotel is home to 48 rooms and suites -- the largest of which is the Sultan Suite.

This apartment-like setting stretches across 4,500 square feet and boasts its own private plunge pool, kitchenette and balconies.

The rooms aren't the only lure: The Lodhi is known for its excellent Indian-inspired culinary offerings, alfresco courtyards, a spa, 50-meter pool, and tennis and squash courts.

Opened in 2011, the Palace pays tribute to classic royal residences of old with stately pillars, lush drapes, marble bathrooms, handmade silverware, classic furniture and signature butler service -- not to mention the fleet of Rolls Royce Phantoms and personal shoppers at your disposal.

If you like what you see, the Leela hotel group has several other urban retreats across India, including addresses in Bengaluru, Chennai and Mumbai.